More people are working out, but not enough, says CDC report

People are finally getting moving – well some of them.

The percentage of urban adults getting enough exercise in the US rose from 19% to 25% in the last 10 years, according to a new report from the Center for Disease Control about physical activity guidelines in rural and urban adult populations between 2008-2007.

That number grew as well in rural areas, from 13% to 20%.

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That’s good news. Nationwide, however, only 24% of adults get the amount of exercise they need – which means about 150 minutes a week of moderately intense aerobic activity and two workouts that focus on muscle-strengthening.

The CDC thinks we can do better. “Despite recent increases in meeting activity guidelines, insufficient participation in physical activity remains a public health concern,” the authors of the report wrote.

If you’re among the population that’s already working out, you may want to try optimizing your workout time. According to a new study referenced on Psychology Today, morning and evening exercise may burn calories differently.

The study (done on mice) suggests that exercising in the morning appears to greatly increase your ability to metabolize sugar and fat, while evening exercise seems to increases your metabolism in general and for a longer period of time.

But really, whatever time you can get it in works.